When “impunity ceilings” trump “glass ceilings”: women on the bench in Guatemala

What can the study of women judges’ experiences of entering and serving on the bench reveal about processes of institutional change and the prospects for achieving more independent and socially representative judiciaries in post-conflict states? Through a qualitative analysis of interviews, ethnography, and institutional sources, we examine the gendered nature of appointment and day-to-day judicial work in Guatemala. We contribute to debates within feminist institutionalism and judicial politics on formal and informal networks and gender dynamics, suggesting that despite institutional reforms intended to strengthen judicial independence, in contexts where criminal and corrupt elites threaten democratization, “impunity ceilings” are at play. These are political dynamics and informal networks preventing career advancement for judges committed to accountability and human rights. We argue that this type of ceiling is more salient than glass ceilings for understanding women judges’ experiences.